Line blind



1 s.l HAMER Jan; 27, 1942.

LINE BLIND Filed Feb. 15, 1941 Ziff .B

I Patented Jan. 27, 1942 LINE BLIND Leland S. Hamer, Long Beach, Calif., assigner of one-fourth to Paul. A. Dewhirst, Los Angeles,

cam.

Application'February 15, 1941, Serial No. 379,050

(ci. l251-167) 4 Claims.

This invention relates 4to pipe line equipment and relates more particularly to line blinds useful in blinding oi or closing pipe lines, etc. A

general object of this invention is to provide a simple, quickly operated and inexpensive line blind.

Line blinds aretemployed in numerous situa-y tions in pipe lines and fluid handling systems where it is required to blank off or close a fluid conductor. It has been the general practice in such cases to equip the opposing ends of the pipe sections with standard flanges which are bolted up by an annular series of eight or more bolts to connect the pipes. When it is desired to make a shut off, the operator is obliged to loosen all the nuts and remove at least half of the series of bolts and then insert a'blind plate between the flanges and then bolt up the flanges.

The loosening and removal of the numerous bolts and the insertion of the plate requires considerable time and during these operationsthe fluid in the line drains out and is lost. Where'- linflammable fluids, such as petroleum products, are

being handled in the line, the escaping fluid creates a dangerous ilre hazard. i

Another object of this invention is to provide a line blind device or fitting that makes for the easy and rapid installatiomreversal and removal of the plate. The device of this invention has a minimum number of easily accessible bolts which need not be removed, but only loosened when the plate is to be installed, reversed or removed.

Another and important object of the invention is to provide a line blind in'which the fluid cannot drain or leak from the pipe line when the plate is being installed, reversed or removed thereby preventing waste of the fluid and eliminating the flre hazard accompanying the employment of conventional line blind equipment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a line blind that is small and compact and which occupies a minimum of space in the line.

Another object of the invention is to provide a line blind that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and that is easy to install.

A further object of this invention is to provide a line blind that does not embody or require complicated mechanisms or moving parts.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the line blind 0f the invention showing it connected in a pipe line with the plate in position. Fig. 2 is an end view of the line blindshowing one of the pipe sections in transverse cross section. Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal detailed sectional view of the line blind and Fig. 4 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line '4-4 on Fig. 1.

'I'he line blind of the present invention may be said to comprise, generally, two sections A and B having telescopically related hubs I0 and II, a plate I2 arranged between the sections A and B and means I3 for securing the sections A and B together to releasably clamp the plate I2 between the same. y

The sections A and B are adapted to be applied to the opposing ends of pipes P or other adjacent opposing parts of a fluid handling conductor or system. The sections A and B may be constructed for attachment to the pipe line parts in any selected manner, for example, they may f be designed to be welded, bolted or screw threaded to the pipe parts. In the case illustrated, the

rsections A and B are formed to be screw threaded to the pipes P. The sections A and B are similar members resembling flanges. f

The section A is provided at its outer side with a boss or hub I4 for connection with its respec-lr tive pipel part P or the like.

In the construction illustrated the hub I4 has an internal thread I5 for cooperating with a thread of the pipe P. The inner side of the section A is provided with the hub III. The hub III is rather large in diameter and has a cylindrical longitudinal opening I6 which is larger in diameter than the opening I1 of the section A. A lateral passage -cr slot I8 is provided in the wall of the hub I0 tc communicate with the opening I6. In the drawing the slot I8 faces upwardly, it being understood that the slot may be otherwise located if desired. As best illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing, the length of the slot I8 corresponds to the diameter of the opening I6 and the ends of the slot extend tangentially outward from the walls of the opening I6 and are substantially vertical and parallel. The hub I0 is shaped to have parts or walls I9 extend outwardly to the mouth of the slot I8. The inner wall of the section A is provided with a raised annular seat 20 at the juncture of the openings I6 and I1. 'I'he seat 20 faces inwardly or toward the section B.

The section B may have a plain flat outer side and is provided at its inner side with the axial boss or `hub II. The central opening 2I lof the section B may have an internal thread 22 to' mate with the thread of the pipe P or other pipe line part. It will be noted that the hub II increases the length of the opening 2l so that the thread 22.may be of ample length. In accordance with the invention the hub II of the section B enters the hub I oi' the section A. The hub I I preferably extends into the hub opening I B with clearance. 'I'he inner end of the hub II is fiat and vertical and forms an annular seat which opposes the seat 20.

Means is provided to seal between the hubs I0 and II to prevent the fluid from draining from the pipe line when the plate I2 is being installed, reversed or replaced. A sealing ring 23 is partially embedded or recessed in the interior of the hub I0 to engage around the hubV Il. 'Ihe sealing ring 23 is preferably formed of a material which swells or expands through contact with the fluid handled by the pipe line to assure a better and permanent seal.- For example, Where petroleum products are handled the ring 23 may be formed of a synthetic rubber which is expanded through contact with petroleum products.

It is usually preferred to provide means whereby the line may be drained when the plate I2 is being installed, reversed or replaced. A drain port 24 is provided in the wall of the hub I'0 to communicate with the inner or lower portion of the opening I6. The drain port 24 is normally closed by a threaded plug 25. In normal use the drain port 24 may remain closed, however, if it is desired to drain the line the plug 25 may be readily removed to ypermit the-line iluid to drain out the port.

The plate I2 is provided to close oi the pipe line and is arranged to be clamped between the opposed telescopic sections A and B. As best illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing, the plate I2 comprises two generally disc shaped portions 26 having dat parallel sides and joined by a reduced connecting part or web. One plate portion 26 is imperforate so that it may close o the fitting and the other plate portion 26 usually has an opening 21 corresponding in diameter to the openings I1 and 2|. When the device is employed Aas an orifice meter fitting, the opening 21 is smaller than the passage through the sections A and B and plates I2 having openings of diierent sizes may be employed as conditions may require. The plate is proportioned so that it'may be readily passed into and out of the slot I8. The plate I2 may be passed into the slot I8 to have the edge or periphery of one of its portions 26 engage on the bottom wall of the opening I6. This engagement centers the plate portion 26 between the opposing seat 20 and end of the hub II.

1 It is usually preferred to provide means for ysealing orv packing between the opposite sides of 'the plate I2 and the sections A and B. In the simple case illustrated, this means comprises nat gaskets 28 arranged on opposite sides of the plate to seal with the seat 28 and the inner end of the hub I I. It is to be understood that the seat and the end of the hub II may be equipped with suitable sealing means for cooperating with the plate I2 and thatthe plate I2 may be equipped with sealing means diierent from that shown. When the plate I2 is positioned with one of its portions. 26 seated in the opening I6 the other plate portion 26 extends outwardly from the slot I8.

The means I 3 is operable to connect the sections A and B to urge the sections toward one another so that the plate I2 is retained and sealed in the slot I8. In the preferred construction the means I3 comprises a limited number of spaced lugs 29 on the periphery oi' each ilange` like section A and B. In the particular case illustrated there are four equally spaced lugs 28 on each section A and B. Studs or bolts 30 are passed through aligned axial openings 3l in the lugs 29 and have nuts 82 threaded on their projecting end parts. The nuts 32 are adapted to clamp against the lugs 29 to urge the sections A and B toward one another. In accordance with the invention the bodies or intermediate portions of the studs 2li are polygonal In cross section and the openings 3| are of corresponding shape. The engagement of the studs in the openings 3l holds the studs against rotation. facilitating the tightening and loosening of the nuts 32. The studs 30 are spaced from the mouth of the seat I8 and do not interfere with the insertion or removal of the plate I2.

In the normal use or operation of the iluid Y system or pipe line, the plate I2 may be in the position where the opening 21 registers with the openings I1 and 2I so that there is a free tlow of fluid through the line. 'I'he nuts -82 are normally tightened down so that the seat 2l and the inner end of the hub II are tightly clamped and sealed against the plate I2. When it is de'sired to provide a' positive shut oi! for the pipe line the nuts 32 are loosened or backed of! and the sections A and B are freed or spreadv a limited amount. 'I'his frees the plate I2 for easy removal. The plate I'2 is withdrawn from the slot I8 and is reentered in the slot to have its imperforate portion 26 seat in the Opening I6. It is to be noted that it is unnecessary for the operator to remove any oi' the studs 38 in performing these operations.

It is to be particularly noted that the fluid in the line cannot drain out oi' the tting when the plate I2 is freed and removed. 'I'he sealing ring 23v effectively seals between the telescoping hubs I0 and II preventing the uid from draining from the line. When the plate I2 has been arranged with its imperforate portion in the open; ing I6 the nuts 32 are again tightened down so that the seat 28 and the inner end of the 'hub II are clamped and sealed against the plate I2 or its gaskets 28. The limited number of simple nuts 32 are readily accessible and may be quickly backed oil and retightened when the plate I2 is reversed or replaced. The polygonal studs Il cannot turn. when the nuts 82 are being loosened `and tightened. A minimum of time is required to reverse the plate I2. The device is very simple in construction and is easy to install and operate.

Having described only a typical preferred form.

and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modincations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A tting to be interposed between uid conductors comprising two tubular sections having means at their outer sides for connection with the conductors, a tubular hub on the inner side of one section, an internal seat in said section, said hub having a lateral slot which joins the interior of the hub at the seat, a hub on the other section telescoping into the rst named hub, a plate inserted in the slot to extend across A the sections-together so that the plate is clamped between the seat and the innerend of the second named hub, all of said studs being clear of the mouth of the slot.

2. A fitting of the character described comprising two sections adapted to be attached tonuid conducting parts and related for relative axial movement, telescopically related hubs on the sections, the outermost of said hubs having a lateral slot, a plate passed into said slot, flanges on the `sections at opposite sides of the slot having poiygonal openings, polygonal studs extending through said openings to project beyond the outer sides of .the anges, and nuts on the projecting end. parts of the studs for urging the sections toward one another.

3. A tting of the character described com-1.

prising two sections adapted to be attached to fluid conducting parts and related for" relative axial movement. telescoplcally related hubs on the sections, the outermost of said hubs having a lateral slot, a plate passed into said slot, iianges on the sections at opposite sides of the slot having aligned openings.. the openings of at least one ange being polygonal, studs extending through the openings and having polygonal portions engaged in the polygonal openings to be held against turning thereby, all of the studs being clear of the mouth of the slot where they do not interfere with the introduction of the plate into the slot and nuts threaded on the studs for cooperating with the anges to urge the sections toward one another. d

4. A tting of the character described comprising two sections adapted to be attached to uid conducting parts and related for relative axial movement, telescopically related hubsk on the sections, the outermost of said hubs having a lateral slot, a plate passed into said slot, flanges on the sections at opposite sides of the slot having aligned openings, and connecting `members extending through said openings for connecting the sections, all of said members being clear of the mouth of the slot so that they do not interfere with the insertionor removal of the plate.

LELAND S. HAMER. 

